450Bushmaster.net

I have just purchased a bolt action .450 and am starting to work up loads. I would like to find the sweet spot on distance from the rifling for best accuracy. I am worried that I will not have enough bullet in the case for a good crimp. What is the minimum amount that need to be in the case (I have hear it should be at least half the diameter of bullet or about .25")?

Just got done loading a batch of 250gr FTX. I loaded the "usual" 37 gr LG. I loaded different lengths ranging from factory to just off the rifling. Hopefully I can find a sweet spot then I can test othe variables (amount of taper crimp and side crimp). It's fun to experiment but there isn't much difference between 1/2" groups and 1 1/2" group to a whitetail!!

If you're using LilGun, seat it to SAAMI specs. You'll have plenty of room for 37.0 grains.

Tested the different lengths and is is amazing how much difference the aol makes with the same load. I've settled with .05" off of the rifling with an coal of 3.400". Tested it in a "round robin" format like Hoot suggested (shooting one round from each group, then the second round, then the third). The groups shrank up to this load, then started to open. I will do more testing to make sure this is true. Do you think the distance from the rifling the gun likes will change with different bullets? Or will the gun like all bullets .05" from the grooves?

do you mean 2.400" OAL? 3.400" is more like 30-06 lengths

My experience has been that every bullet likes a different jump. Some times, the same bullet at a different charge will show a preference for a different jump. That's why we keep loading journals.

Welcome to the interesting part of reloading!

Hoot

Yes 2.4" sorry. Well Hoot I didn't figure ther was an easy answer! I guess I had better buy some more powder and bullets! Not to mention get a better journal